Just getting started with a MicroVax 3400

From: Chad Fernandez <fernande_at_internet1.net>
Date: Sun Apr 1 23:33:53 2001

Chuck McManis wrote:
> Interesting, notice the "ready" light on the disks, are they all on? This
> it turns out is also a push button switch. When it is pressed in the disk
> is made "on-line" and when it is out it is off line. You should get that
> incredibly amusing DSSI 'seek calibration test' on all disks that are
> enabled. Its possible you've just pushed one of the buttons and disabled a
> disk VMS was hoping to use.

The 2 RF35 (I think that's the number) don't have the cables hooked up
for the panel. I assumed they didn't use the panel. Am I wrong on
this? They look like later, more modern drives to me, so I thought they
wouldn't use the panel, and I didn't see any place to hook them up. The
drive mounted lights do come on.

>
> >I think I have 2 16s, and an 8. If I am thinking correctly, I have 3
> >memory boards total
>
> Ok, I've seen 5 port connector straps (allowing for 4 mem boards) but it
> was on a custom box.

Mine seems to have a standard 4 connector cable. If I made a cable, how
many memory boards could I use?
 
> Yup, the CXY08. Nice serial card, easy to program, supported by NetBSD.

CXY08, is exactly it.
 
> The 4Plex should work fine on it, *if* you have a SCSI interface in there.

Good. What should I look for in a SCSI card? When I do get a SCSI
card, should I remove the TK70, or just mount the cd-rom in an external
case? I would like the cd-rom internal, but I don't know how important
that TK70 might be.

Chad Fernandez
Michigan, USA
Received on Sun Apr 01 2001 - 23:33:53 BST